Peach tree named ‘Burpeachthirtythree’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachthirtythree’, and which produces an attractively colored yellow fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 25 to September 3 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Botanical designation: The present invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of peach tree, Prunus persica.

Varietal denomination: ‘Burpeachthirtythree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of Prunus, Malus, Punica and Juglans species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling, ‘Burpeachthirtythree’ was originated by us, and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards which are located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from an open pollinated seedling of a yellow fleshed freestone peach known as ‘N7.045’ (unpatented) and which was the seed parent. After a period of stratification, the seed derived from the seed parent was placed in the greenhouse by population, and then field planted for tree establishment, and ultimately to exhibit fruit for evaluation. One yellow fleshed peach seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was then designated as ‘Q18.065’. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2007 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of peach tree was accomplished by budding the new peach tree onto ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (un-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations of these asexually reproduced plants have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through these succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachthirtythree’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which is considered of medium-large size, and which has a moderately vigorous growth characteristic. This new tree is also a regular and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, yellow-fleshed, clingstone fruit which have a very good flavor, and eating qualities. This new peach tree has a medium chilling requirement of approximately 650 hours, and further produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree's canopy. In addition to the foregoing, the fruit produced by the new peach tree also appears to have good handling and shipping qualities. The ‘Burpeachthirtythree’ peach tree bears fruit which are typically ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately August 25 to September 3 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. In relative comparison to the ‘Burpeachfifteen’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,454), which is the closest known variety, the new variety of peach tree bears fruit that are clingstone, and further produces larger fruit, whereas, on the other hand, the ‘Burpeachfifteen’ peach tree produces fruit which are freestone, and which further produces fruit of a smaller size. In relative comparison to the seed parent, ‘N7.045’ peach tree (unpatented), the present, new variety, produces a clingstone fruit and maintains a commercial level of quality for 2 weeks longer in cold storage as compared to the closest known variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new peach tree variety.

The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit showing the top and bottom characteristics thereof, and one mature fruit bisected transversely along the suturial plane, and which reveals the flesh color, and stone characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit as shown in the photograph is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays typical leaves viewed from both dorsal and ventral perspectives; a typical stone with the flesh removed; a typical kernel extracted from the stone; and a section of representative bark has also been displayed.

The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may, or may not, be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society, Fourth Edition, 2001) and descriptions provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY:

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty, (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will, in the future, display all the botanical, pomological or other characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed, in whole, or in part, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the seventh fruiting season, and under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards of the assignee which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of California. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition, 2001) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

TREE

-   -   -   Size.—Generally considered medium to medium-large in its             growth pattern as compared to other common commercial peach             cultivars ripening in the late season of maturity. The tree             of the present variety was pruned to a height of             approximately 270.0 cm. to about 310.0 cm. at commercial             maturity.         -   Width.—Approximately 280.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Considered moderately vigorous. The present peach             tree variety grew from about 168.0 cm. to about 170.0 cm. in             height during the first growing season. The new variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 150.0 cm. during the             first dormant season, and primary scaffolds were then             selected for the desired tree structure.         -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from more than             the desired crop load, to productivity levels higher than             desired levels, when the new variety is grown in a suitable             horticultural zone, and under appropriate growing             conditions. The fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop             the remaining fruit into the desired market-sized fruit. The             number of the resulting fruit set varies with the prevailing             climatic conditions, and the cultural practices employed.         -   Fruit bearing.—Regular. Fruit set has been more than             adequate during the previous years of observation, and             thinning was necessary during the past 5 years on both the             original seedling, and on subsequent asexually reproduced             trees.         -   Tree form.—Upright, and pruned into a vase shape.         -   Density.—Considered moderately dense. It has been discovered             that pruning the branches from the center of the tree to             obtain a resulting vase shape allows for enhanced air             movement, and appropriate amounts of sunlight to be received             and which improves the resulting fruit color, and the             renewal of fruiting wood throughout the tree.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA             Hardiness Zone 9. The calculated winter chilling             requirements of the new tree is approximately 650 hours at a             temperature below 7.0 degrees C. The present variety appears             to be hardy under typical central San Joaquin Valley             climatic conditions.

TRUNK

-   -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.5 cm in diameter when measured at             a distance of approximately 15.24 cm. above the soil level.             This measurement was taken at the end of the tenth growing             season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present. Since bark             development and coloration change with advancing tree age             this characteristic varies with the tree vigor, age and             regional conditions. Therefore, this is not a dependable             descriptor nor a distinguishing characteristic of the new             variety.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The             observed lenticels range in size from approximately 2.0             millimeters to about 4.0 mm. in width; and between about 1.0             mm and about 2.0 millimeters in height. The development and             size of the trunk lenticels can be influenced, to some             degree, by the ambient growing conditions, and are not,             necessarily, a dependable and distinguishing characteristic             of this variety. As trees of this variety mature, lenticels             are present, but they are generally covered by increasing             layers of cork (mature bark) and therefore become less             apparent.         -   Lenticel color.—Considered an orange brown, (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group N167 B).         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to             be a greyed brown, (RHS Greyed-Brown Group N200 A). This             bark description was taken from trees in their seventh leaf,             and which have further ruptured the scarf skin. The observed             bark also has developed bark furrowing which is much more             typical of the bark of older trees. It should be noted that             the coloration of the bark is influenced, and varies, as the             smoother, darker background color approaches other bark             features such as the lenticels, and the initial fissures             which form a feature of the scarf skin development.

BRANCHES

-   -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             branches have a diameter of about 9.0 centimeters when             measured during the fifth year after grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood             which is several years old.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, and             are usually growing at an angle of about 45 to about 57             degrees when measured from a horizontal plane. This             characteristic can be influenced, to some degree, by tree             vigor, rootstock and other cultural conditions.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Color of mature branches.—Grey brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange             Group 166 C).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — Medium-light green, (RHS             Yellow-Green Group 144 A). The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green (RHS Green Group 140 B).             The vegetative shoot color can be significantly influenced             by plant nutrition, irrigation practices, and exposure to             sunlight, and therefore should not be considered a             consistent botanical characteristic or a descriptor of this             new variety.

LEAVES

-   -   -   Size.—Considered medium-large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,             current-season growth, and which is taken at approximately             mid-shoot. It should be understood that the leaf size is             often influenced by prevailing growing conditions, quality             of sunlight, and the location of the leaf within the tree             canopy. For this reason, leaf sizes can vary significantly             based upon the ambient and other cultural factors listed             above, and are not typically considered a dependable             botanical descriptor.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 170.0 to about 185.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 28.0 to about 37.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base-shape.—The leaves generally exhibit equal marginal             symmetry relative to the leaf longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Leaf Surface — Dark green, (approximately             RHS Green Group 135 A).         -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf color.—Lower Leaf Surface — medium green,             (approximately RHS Green Group 139 A).         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color — Considered a light, yellow-green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 150 C) in the             mid-period of the growing season.         -   Leaf margins.—Gently undulating. Form — Considered crenate.             Uniformity — Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Form — Considered canaliculated, and having a             more pronounced trough when viewed from the dorsal aspect.             The petiole margin is considered rounded when viewed from             the ventral aspect. Size — Considered medium-small for the             species. Length — About 7.0 to about 10.0 mm. Diameter —             About 1.5 to about 2.5 mm. Color — Light yellow green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 144 A).         -   Leaf glands.—Size — Considered small for the species;             approximately 1.0 mm. in length; and about 1.0 mm. in             height. Number — Generally one to two glands per marginal             side are found. Type — Glands located at the base of the             leaf are predominantly reniform in shape. Color — Considered             a medium, light brown, approximately (RHS Grey-Brown Group             199 B). Typically the coloration of the glands darkens, and             occasionally begins to desiccate during, and thereafter, the             mid-late growing season.         -   Leaf stipules.—Size — Medium large for this variety.             Approximately 5.0-7.0 mm in length; approximately 1.0 mm in             width. Number — Typically 2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per             shoot tip. Form — Lanceolate in form, and having a serrated             marginal edge. Color — Green, (approximately RHS Green Group             140 B) when young, but graduating to a brown color,             (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group 165 A) with advancing             senescence. The leaf stipules are generally considered to be             early deciduous.

FLOWER BUDS

-   -   -   Hardiness.—No winter injury (bud death) has been noted             during the last several years of observation in the central             San Joaquin Valley. The new variety of peach tree has not             been intentionally subjected to drought, cold or heat             stress, and therefore this information is not available.         -   Flower bud.—Size — Variable, and dependent on the state of             maturity. The flower buds as described were observed             approximately 7 days prior to bloom.         -   Flower bud.—Length — Approximately 12.0 millimeters.         -   Flower bud.—Diameter — Approximately 9.0 millimeters.         -   Flower bud surface texture.—Pubescent.         -   Flower bud orientation.—Considered appressed, but as the             floral buds approach bloom initiation the angle of             orientation becomes less acute.         -   Bud scale color.—Approximately (RHS Greyed-Purple 187 A).

FLOWERS

-   -   -   Date of first bloom.—Observed on Feb. 28, 2013.         -   Blooming time.—Considered average in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the central San             Joaquin Valley. The date of full bloom was observed on Mar.             5, 2013. The date of full bloom varies slightly with             climatic conditions, and prevailing cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 7 days. This particular             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower class.—Considered a perfect flower, complete and             perigynous.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. The flower diameter at full             bloom, is approximately 28.0 to 30.0 millimeters. The flower             diameter size can be influenced by the vigor and bud             position on a fruiting lateral.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally two flower buds appear per             node, occasionally one flower bud per node is observed.         -   Petal size.—Generally considered medium for the species.         -   Petal length.—Approximately 12.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Petal width.—Approximately 11.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Considered broadly ovate.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Considered a light pink at the popcorn stage,             (RHS Red Group 49 B), and darkening with advanced             senescence, and the exposure of sunlight, to a medium-dark             pink, (RHS Red-Purple 64 D).         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered truncate, and is             generally medium-small when compared to other varieties.             Length — Approximately 6.0-7.0 millimeters. Width —             Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth to moderately undulate and ruffled, especially             apically.         -   Petal apex.—Generally, the petal margin is entire at the             tip.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered medium-long with an             approximate length of about 0.5 to about 1.0 millimeter.             Diameter — Approximately 1.0 millimeter. Color — A medium             brown, approximately (RHS Grey-Brown Group N199 D). Surface             — Glabrous.         -   Floral nectaries.—Color — Considered a deep orange             (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group N172 B).         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture — Generally glabrous. Color — A dull             red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 183 A).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture — The surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture. Number — 5 sepals. Size — Average.         -   Sepal length.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Sepal width.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Sepal shape.—Generally broadly ovate.         -   Sepal margin.—Considered smooth and entire.         -   Sepal color.—A dull, magenta, (approximately RHS Greyed-Red             Group 181 C).         -   Anthers.—Generally — Average in size. Color — Red to             reddish-orange when viewed dorsally and prior to dehiscence,             (approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 179 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 17 B).         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Filaments.—Size — Approximately 12.0 to 15.0 millimeters in             length. Color — Considered white to a pinkish-white, (RHS             Red Purple Group 62 D).         -   Pistil.—Number — Usually one, and only rarely may more than             one be observed. Generally — Large in size. Length —             Approximately 16.0 to about 17.5 millimeters in length             including the ovary. Color — Considered a very pale green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 150 D). Surface             Texture — The variety has a long pubescent pistil.

FRUIT

-   -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Approximately Aug. 25, 2013.         -   Date of last picking.—Approximately Sep. 3, 2013. The date             of harvest can vary slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions, desired fruit maturity, and the current cultural             practices which are being employed.         -   Size.—Generally — Considered large.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to about 87.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to about 85.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 240.0 grams. This             characteristic is quite dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the new variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Considered globose. The fruit             generally exhibits nonuniformity in symmetry with respect to             the sutural hemispheres. Some fruit can occasionally exhibit             a protruding apical tip.         -   Fruit suture.—Stitching has not been observed along the             suture line during the years of observation.         -   Suture.—Color — Generally, the fruit appears blushed to the             same degree as the skin, (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Quite even, and uniform in             appearance, when it is viewed from the apical aspect.         -   Apex.—Shape — Generally rounded with an occasional small             acute (mucronate) tip.         -   Base.—Shape — Generally smooth with an occasional raised             shoulder on one hemisphere.         -   Stem cavity.—Generally — This feature extends in a rounded             circular form which is generally considered uniform. The             stem cavity, as noted, above, is rounded but slightly             extends toward the suture. The average depth of the stem             cavity is about 8.0-9.0 mm. The average width of the stem             cavity is about 26.0 mm. The average length of the stem             cavity, when measured in the sutural plane is about 39.0 mm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered medium in thickness, and             tenacious to the flesh. Surface Texture — Short, fine and             pubescent. The pubescence is moderately abundant. Taste —             Non-astringent. Tendency to crack — Not observed in the             previous years of observation and evaluation.         -   Fruit skin color.—Blush Color — Generally speaking, a light             red blush can be observed on a minority of the skin of the             fruit (approximately RHS Red Group 42 A), and is more             typically present on the portions of the fruit facing the             sunlight. The blush of the fruit typically covers             approximately 65%-75% of the fruit skin surface. The             percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,             and is generally dependent upon the fruit's exposure to             direct sunlight; specific fruit maturity; and also the             prevailing ecological and cultural conditions under which             the fruit was grown. Ground Color — Yellow, (approximately             RHS Yellow Orange Group 23 B). The ground color of the fruit             can vary significantly based upon the maturity of the fruit             when this measurement is taken.         -   Fruit stem.—Size — Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to             about 7.0 millimeters. Diameter — Approximately 2.0 to about             3.0 millimeters. Color — Pale yellow-green, (approximately             RHS Yellow-Green Group N144 C).         -   Fruit flesh.—Ripening — Considered even. Texture — Firm,             juicy and dense. Considered non-melting. Fibers — Present,             but not prominent. Aroma — Slight. Eating Quality —             Considered very good. Flavor — Considered very sweet, and             with moderate acidity. The flavor is considered both             pleasant and balanced. Juice Production — Moderate. Brix —             About 13.0 to 16.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; the maturity of             fruit when harvested; the prevailing cultural practices; and             the ambient climatic conditions. Acidity — Titratable             acidity is measured at approximately 0.83.

STONE

-   -   -   Type.—Considered a clingstone.         -   Size.—It is generally considered to be large for the             variety. The stone size varies significantly depending upon             the tree vigor, the crop load, and the prevailing growing             and cultural conditions under which the tree was grown.         -   Length.—Average, about 45.0 to about 51.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Average, about 37.0 to about 43.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average, about 23.0 to about 32.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Roughly ovoid.         -   Stone base.—Shape — The stone is considered even.         -   Apex.—Shape — The stone exhibits a slight to prominently             acute apex.         -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Considered irregularly             furrowed toward the apex. Further, more pitting exists in             the mid-portion of the stone (laterally), and is more common             toward the base. Ridges — Ridging is generally more             prominent, and is usually oriented parallel, and laterally             relative at the ventral and dorsal margins. Ventral Edge —             The ventral edge is generally considered troughed with three             substantial grooves that converge apically. Dorsal Edge —             Shape — Generally considered even. The folds of the surface             ridges appearing on the external margins often end gently             along the suture.         -   Stone color.—The color of a mature, dry stone is generally             considered a dull brown, approximately (RHS Greyed-Purple             Group N186 B). It should be noted that the stone as depicted             in the drawing is not fully cured, and will further lighten             in hue as a result of continued drying.         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting has rarely been noted.         -   Kernel.—Length — Approximately 19.0-21.0 millimeters. Width             — Approximately 13.0-15.0 millimeters. Thickness — 5.0-6.0             millimeters. Size — The kernel is considered medium large in             size. Form — Considered generally ovoid. Pellicle — Slightly             pubescent. Color — A dark tan (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 166             B).         -   Use.—The present variety ‘Burpeachthirtythree’ is considered             to be a peach tree of the mid-season of maturity, and which             produces fruit which are considered to be firm, attractively             colored, and which are useful for both local and long             distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Appears excellent. The fruit of the present             variety has stored well for periods of up to 35 days, or             more, after harvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. The fruit of the new peach tree             variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage             after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing             procedures.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been intentionally tested to expose or detect any             susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant, fruit             diseases, insect, frost, winter injury or other             environmental factors.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude, and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, nutrition, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and changes in horticultural management are to be expected. 

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of peach tree, what we claim is new, and desire to secure by Plant Letters Patent is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored yellow-white fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 25 to September 3 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 